A grieving Co Armagh mother who lost her son to a suspected drugs overdose has spoken of her heartbreak.
Siobhan McCabe lost her 34 year-old son Aidan earlier this week.
Mr McCabe’s body was found in a house in the Acorn Hill area of Bessbrook on Wednesday.
Six people had initially been arrested in connection with the father-of-one’s death, however, following a post mortem on Thursday police confirmed “his death is no longer being treated as murder”.
All six were released unconditionally.
Speaking to the Irish News Mr McCabe’s mother Siobhan spoke of her devastation and how her son’s drug addiction led him “down the wrong path”.
“We always hoped he would come through all this,” she said.
“The coroner said the post mortem was inconclusive, we have to await toxicology results. But we were told there were no injuries caused to Aidan that would have led to his death.
“But we know it’s more than likely it was drugs, an overdose.
“Initially when we were told he’d died, we thought it would be drugs as the last few years he’s had his troubles with drugs.
“But he had been doing so well, but just the last few weeks, something had changed and he had went down hill again.”
Mrs McCabe described her son as a “gentle soul”.
Mrs McCabe appealed to drugs users to heed the warning of Aidan’s death.
“I just want other people to know what taking drugs can do to you, there needs to be more drug awareness and education, especially among young people so they know what they’re getting into.
Adding: “It is every parent’s nightmare, every family’s nightmare, I don’t want to see any other family go through what we are going through.”
A funeral notice for Aidan said he was the treasured son of Derek and Siobhan McCabe and dear brother of Jodie and Kevin.
Aidan’s remains are reposing at his sister’s home, 24a Park View, Newtowncloghue, Newry.
His funeral will leave the house on Saturday, March 16, at 10 am for 11 am Requiem Mass in the Church of St. Malachy, Carrickcruppen, Camlough. Interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
